Combined pocket-ruler



(No Mdel.)

M. H. BEDDOW COMBINED POCKET RULE, SPIRIT LEVEL,'AND INGLINOMETER- N0. 577.;709. Patefited Feb. 23,1897.

UNi'rEn STATES l PATENT OFFICE.

MATTHEW n. BEDDOW, or MiNERsviLLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

COMBINED POCKET-RULER, SPlRIT-LEVEL, AND INCLI NOMETER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 577,709, dated February 23, 1897.

Application filed une 29,1896. Seri 1N0.597,412. (N0 model.)

T0 aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MATTHEW H. BEDDOW, a citizen of the United States, residing at Minersville, in the county of Schuylkill and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in a Combined Pocket-Rule, Spirit-Level, and Inclinometer, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a .view of the edge of a pocket-- rule provided with my improved spirit-level; Fig. 2, a side view of the same, showing the lateral sight-opening of the level; Fig. 3, a detail view of the spirit-tube of my improved spirit-level; Fig. 4, aview of the rule provided with the improved extensible leg; Figs. 5 and 6, detail views showing the construction of the extensible leg; Fig. 7, a side view of the instrument applied to the upper surface of an inclinedplane, and Fig. 8 a similar View of the same when applied to the under surface of a plane.

My invention relates to improvements in combination tools including a measuringrule, a spirit-level, and an inclinometer.

My purpose is to provide a simple and practically-useful device whereby, in addition to the ordinary functions of the separate parts, any angle or inclination within a range of ninety degrees may be easily found and indicated at sight.

The invention consists of a twelve-inch folding pocket-rule of the usual form, having one of its legs provided with a spirit-level, the bubble being visible from either side as well as from the front. The other leg is grooved,and when not in use contains a hinged extensible leg, which may be easily drawn out and utilized, as will be hereinafter described.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, A indicates a twelve-inch pocket-rule provided with a scale of inches and fractions thereof and hinged in the center in the usual manner. A spirit-level 2 is fitted in one of the legs of the rule. The tube or vial which contains the spirit is slightly enlarged in the center, as shown in Fig. 3. By this means the bubble will run freely to the center not only when the instrument is used as an ordinary level, but also when it is inverted, as

will hereinafter be shown. It will be understood that a spirit-tube having its ends bent downward in the usual manner cannot show the bubble when inverted, for the reason that in the latter position, the ends being higher than the center, the bubble will inevitably ascend and lodge in one or the other end of the tube.

In order to enable the operator to see the bubble from either side as well as from the front when inverted, the adjacent edges of the rule are cut away, forming sight-openings 4. The other leg of the rule is longitudinally grooved on'its inner side to provide a recess for an extensible leg 5, which is made in two sections of suitable sheet metal, connected by a hinge 6 and having a scale indicating the degrees. One end of the leg is pivotallyattached within the groove, while the other is adapted to slide in a slot in the outer end of the opposite leg of the rule. The outer edges of the two blades or sections are flanged in reverse. These flanges are removed at the junction of the blades and form abutting shoulders 7, as shown in Fig. 5, so that when the leg is fully extended the shoulders mutually engage in such a manner that the leg presents a straight outer edge.

The peculiar advantages and general utility of the device will be apparent. It will be understood that a rule of the same size having a non-extensible leg could not be utilized to indicate more than forty-five degrees, while my improvement makes it capable of reachingninety degrees without increasing the size or affecting the portability of the device. It will also be observed that when desired to indicate less than forty-five degrees the extensible'leg may be folded, as in Figs. 7 and 8.

The operation of the device may be readily perceived. If the top or upper surface of a plane be easily accessible, the device may be applied as shown in Fig. 7 but if a miner should desire to ascertain the dip or trend of a vein of coal or other mineral and the floor be undulating, as is generally the case, it is only necessary to invert the instrument, as shown in Fig. 8, and whenever the bubble,

which is easily visible through the side openings 4, finds its level the degree of inclination will be shown on the scale of the extensible leg. It is obvious that architects, builders,

and others may use the instrument to positive advantage.

WVhat I claim as new is The herein described combination tool, comprising a measuring-rule made in two sections pivotally connected with each other and formed with slots in the free ends, of the sheet-metal extensible leg made in two parts hinged to each other and having their outer edges bent over at a right angle forming flanges cut away at the ends to form shoulders and one of said sections of said leg pivotally connected with one of the sections of said rule while the free end of the other section of the leg is adapted to slide in the slot 15 in the other section of the rule, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoingl have hereunto set my hand, this 16th day of J one, 1896, in the presence of Witnesses.

MATTHEW H. BEDDOVV.

\Vitnesses:

Tnos. GODFREY, GEO. W. JENKINS. 

